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p38 MAPK signaling during murine preimplantation development.
David R Natale1, Andrew J M Paliga, Frank Beier
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1.
Developmental Biology
|March 20, 2004
Summary
p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling is crucial for early mouse embryo development. Inhibiting p38 MAPK halts embryo development at the 8- to 16-cell stage, but this blockade is reversible.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways regulate critical cellular functions.
- MAPK pathways are implicated in regulating preimplantation development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of p38 MAPK signaling in murine preimplantation development.
Main Methods:
- Detection of p38 MAPK, PRAK, MK2, and hsp25 mRNAs and proteins throughout preimplantation development.
- Culture of two-cell stage embryos with p38 MAPK inhibitors (SB220025 and SB203580).
- Assessment of embryo development, cell compaction, and cytoskeletal organization (filamentous actin).
Main Results:
- p38 MAPK, PRAK, MK2, and hsp25 are present during murine preimplantation development.
- p38 MAPK inhibition arrested embryo development at the 8- to 16-cell stage.
- Inhibitor treatment led to loss of MK2 and hsp25 phosphorylation, absence of filamentous actin, and impaired cell compaction.
- Developmental arrest was reversible upon removal of inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- p38 MAPK activity is essential for successful murine preimplantation development.
- p38 MAPK signaling influences cytoskeletal organization and cell compaction during early embryogenesis.